The other three hospitals in the patch are St George’s, Kingston and Croydon – but St George’s was never an option for losing A&E because of its status as a London trauma centre.

The cluster will now carry out a financial appraisal of the options before deciding which options should be “modelled in full” and presented to the public at a full board meeting before formal consultation later this year.

Epsom and St Helier’s chief executive Matthew Hopkins said he was “disappointed” by the news.

He said: “The key criteria we expected the panel to use in making its recommendation were clinical outcomes, safety and patient experience. We know we do well in these areas, especially when compared to our local hospitals, so it is regrettable the panel have come to this conclusion.

“St Helier’s A&E and maternity departments are busier than ever, with 81,739 patients treated in A&E and 3,317 babies born in our maternity unit. The numbers of patients and parents who use St Helier is increasing, not decreasing.

“The review’s plan to close an A&E is based on a major reduction in the numbers of people needing to use A&E departments across south west London.

“As such, we have consistently raised concerns about whether there are clear and robust plans in place across the NHS in south west London to enable that to happen and, in turn, reduce the number of patients who need our care.

“The increasing numbers of patients we treat in A&E, and babies that we care for in our maternity unit, combined with the high quality care we deliver, mean local people, patients and our own staff, need to be reassured that significant investments are being made elsewhere to provide the services they need, at the standards they deserve.”

The option would see St Helier instead “host a state-of-the-art planned surgery centre”, a development whose viability has been questioned by the trust.

In a statement Dr David Finch, joint medical director for the review, said changing the way services were delivered would save lives.

“Remember that London-wide stroke and major trauma were criticised at first as they meant longer travelling times in an emergency – but they have saved hundreds of lives” he said, “As a local GP, I am convinced that our proposals will save lives too and that they will improve services for my patients.”

Readers' comments
(2)

Anonymous | 10-May-2012 4:21 pm

Longer waiting list, longer times spent on trolleys in A&E.........need i go on.